4:39 AM
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Here at Autopia, we have been fascinated by Tata’s Nano micro-car for some time. On the one hand, it seems like a way to bring cheap transportation to the masses. On the other, does the world’s environment really need more masses of cars? What if the Nano wasn’t a conventionally powered car, but a hybrid? That was, at first, a rumor at the L.A. Auto Show, but now it looks to be a reality.
At first there were rumors from our friends at Left Lane News that Ratan Tata had let slip to a Korea business paper that his company’s upcoming Nano micro-car would also be available as a hybrid. Then Mr. Tata confirmed that the Indian automaker intends to launch a hybrid version of the Nano. The Nano, which has been billed as, “The World’s Least Expensive Automobile” looks to also add the name of “The World’s Least Expensive Hybrid.”
Ratan Tata said that the hybrid Nano is intended to be ‘Greener and more Eco- friendly’, according to Ub News. The news outlet also noted that Mr. Tata is concerned about the expected rise in pollution levels due to the influx Nanos on the roads of India. StockWatch India also reported on the upcoming hybrid variant, and in addition to noting that Tata has already delivered 10,518 Nanos by October, that the company is reportedly working on the use of bio-diesel and ethanol in other Tata brands.
The Daily Green, while gushing over Honda’s P-NUT and other high MPG rides at the L.A. show also mentioned the hybrid Nano, but cautioned that the price would likely be more than the standard Nano’s $2,500. Other Indian news outlets are trumpeting the announcement, and even major American channels such as CNN have picked up the story.
Here at Autopia, all we can say is: Good! It will be better to have a gajillion hybrid Nanos running all over the streets of Udhagamandalam and Visakhapatnam than a bunch of gas burners. Now if they could just give the thing a little more style.
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